Knitting and Reading (but not at the same time)

Happy Wednesday! And let me introduce you to the softest of knits - my (future) Beaubourg jumper. I am knitting it, as advised by the pattern, with Maxima from Manos del Uruguay (I reviewed this ethical yarn here). Although the knitting is quite easy, I cannot read at the same time. How do you do it? I can knit in the car, knit whilst having a chat, knit whilst watching TV - I just cannot knit and read. But I have been reading. I have been using reading as my time off. I go to bed early at the moment - thank you Baby MiH for my lack of beauty sleep - and turn off my mind with a book. 

So actually I am reading more books as a result. I finished the Children Act by Ian McEwan - it is not necessarily easy reading in terms of the topic covered - a high court judge arbitrating on family affairs - but the prose makes it flow. I usually read books with more drama, it felt like an easy read from that point of view, and it was what I needed. There is substance - clearly a lot of research went into it - and it kept me going. So not a 'cannot-stop-reading' book but a good 'quick' in-between read looking at real contemporary issues. 

I am now reading a Christmas Party by Georgette Heyer which was originally published in 1941 under a different title - the Envious Casca. I have not ready any Georgette Heyer's detectives story. I intended to read it during the Christmas period, but did not manage it. I am enjoying it, Christmas in a big country home in Britain, add some snow and I am there - I am making Christmas (or Downtown Abbey?) last a bit longer. 

I am going back to work next week - so reading is going to happen (and not knitting)! It really helps to wind down and escape (totally necessary during my commute). 

Turtle :: Knitting Inspiration ::

Sincerely Jules

Happy Tuesday everyone! Well, I love turtle necks - just the name is brilliant. And there are in fashion this winter, but shouldn't they always be in fashion when it gets really cold (or that just too practical of me?). I love how Sincerely Jules styled hers (I may also want her bag, and shoes, but that is another discussion). And since seeing this picture, I have been researching knitting patterns. 

I have to tell you, I have a favourite - Beaubourg by Julie Hoover.If you were looking for more texture, you might be interested in another pattern by Birch Bay.  I love the collar of Lanvad (and it is knitted in one of my favourite yarn). If you are looking for oversized Chaleur might be for you (I may have 3 Julie Hoover's designs, it is only coincidence). Flet - a bit more tailored - looks great too (and based on Ravelry's pics, it seems to look great on everyone too. The plain and simple pullover by Veera Välimäki is a free pattern worth considering too. I am not a fan, but I think this free pattern does provide a good basis to make your own turtle neck jumper. 

So what is your pick? Which colour would you go for?

Pattern Picks| BT Fall Vol. 14 {Knitting}

*For a chance to win one yard of organic cotton fabric dyed naturally

please make sure you enter the giveaway here*

It is out... Another 16 patterns released yesterday by the designer team over at Brooklyn Tweed - and if you are a fan of cables you are in for a treat. These patterns are meant to be knitted in the long nights that are coming with the winter. It is intricate work - and some patterns are beautiful. However I am not totally overwhelmed by one pattern - they are all very beautiful, just maybe not my style, or some awkward shaping? 

I do have some favourites - and it is interesting to compare my favourites to the ones on Ravelry (if you go on the pattern list, you can see for instance that Wake is currently the favourite but does not feature on my list). 

I am not sure what is more appealing - the styling of Ludlow (love the burnt orange/electric blue combo) or the geometric pattern. I like the idea that there is no wrong side to the wrap. It mentions that this would be a project that you can leave and pick up whenever you want, again probably the sort of project that would appeal to me right now, or when the baby is here. I do love a big stole to wrap around my neck in winters. 

I think I like Backbay, but I definitely don't like it in that colour. It reminds me of course of Berenice from BT Kids - and I would actually consider make a short sleeves version of it to layer on top of a chambray shirt - an all-year-round garment. I am not sure about the bottom ribbing, it looks funny - maybe it is a question of proportions, a longer ribbing may be better? 

I am not as inspired by Skiff as I was by Bough but it may be a great hat for Mr MiH especially in that chocolate brown colour. I do love the cable work and how it comes together at the crown of the hat. There is a slouchy version too, but even with the addition of a pompom, and we know how much I like a pompom, Bough still wins. 

Rowe would be like my ultimate knit. Chunky ribbing, amazing cable work - I would be impressed if I were able to every finish it, and how amazing would that be. It would be perfect for the winter. But I have to be realistic, this is not going to happen this year - or until I have to attend the boys' sport training sessions, and get 'free' time to knit. 

Tiller may be also a  for Mr MiH . I gave Wayfarer to my Mum - Mr MiH was never wearing it, and then he decided (of course) that he liked it... The net of it is that I owe him a scarf, and Tiller might just be the ticket. I think it is probably too chunky for me, but at 6'2 Mr MiH could handle all that pattern. Also I think I would be learning quite a few techniques from it, a bonus of course. 

So what is your favourite? What did you think? Other patterns, and beautiful photographs are of course on line in the Ebook available here.

The point of knitting your own jumper... {Knitting}

There are so many reasons why I love knitting my own garment. I know it takes forever (in my case; many knitters are much faster than I am), and that in fact it is probably not cheaper. But I can choose the colour I want, the type of yarn I want, adapt the shape and the length especially - and not compromise (too much).

My current WIP made me realise that in addition I can make garment that you cannot find in the shops! There are so many patterns out there that have delicate lace work embedded in them, or the right amount of quirkiness that will make it my favourite garment.

I have talked about Nord before, and yes I had to start it there and then. In a very wise move, I finished the back first - on the basis that this would really be boring but that I knew that the thought of knitting of the front panel would keep me going.

And it has not disappoint. For the first few rows I was really wondering whether the diagonal would show, but now 66 rows in I can see where we are going with this.

I just wished I could have shown you the cross-over but I am not there yet, but soon. Cannot wait! So why do you knit your own jumpers?

Linking up my WIP to Small Things today. 

The back of it | WIP {Knitting}

I am so happy to have finished the back of this jumper. That was a lot garter stitch - even with the strip in the middle. 

 And it is my first time shaping the shoulders.. I am not sure whether this a good move or not (better be, because I am not re-knitting this back). 

Yep, it is plain, no matter the angle I am taking the picture from. But that means that the boring bit is over and done with, and let me tell you the front is pretty exciting. Better getting  on with casting on then. 

Linking to Small Things and Tamis'Amis today.

Holiday WIP {knitting}

Knitting through this lovely Cascade Eco alpaca yarn. One project - 3 skeins with me, I have already knitted one. 

After skiing garter stitch is the only thing I can manage! 

Previously discarded {knitting}

The are several reasons why I'd rather read blogs than magazines - besides the price of course! But one that stands out is the fact that bloggers are able to widen my horizon and capture where the problem might be with a pattern and how it could work. This is what happened with Nord. Of course, I am a Brooklyn Tweed aficionado and it was hard for me to even think that I could change a pattern, but Nord was not working for me - and I had even discarded it in my review of BT Winter Vol.14. 

Of course I was attracted by the cable work. And I cannot tell you exactly why, but it did not appeal to me whatsoever... Until I saw this version...

The oversized version by une poule a petits pas. Of course it was obvious, the v-neck sits better, the shape and the length are better. This is a jumper I want to own!

EDIT: if you are interested in knitting this version, here are the main changes:

- It is knitted in Cascade Eco Alpaga in Ecru (5 skeins)

- Knitted one size bigger than your usual size

- The armholes were changed as well: knitted straight, and the stitches are picked up and sleeves knitted in the round (so much easier!).

And this is why, although in theory I am not supposed to buy more yarn if I have not finished a project, there is yarn on its way... And I cannot wait to cast on. I just hope my version will be as wearable. I stopped at making a cream version as well, but the colour will not be that far from that... Such a copycat. As long as I get a jumper that I will wear! who cares! 

Cross-stitch Christmas Cover | Making Christmas Tutorial {Upcycling}

Welcome to the Making Christmas blog hop! I hope you have made much more progress with your Making Christmas list! Today I will show you some of my home decorations. I am going for a chocolate brown and tartan theme this year - no I did not make it easy on myself, but it means you become much more creative suddenly!

Which leads me on nicely to today's tutorial - a knitted jumper turned into a cross-stitched fancy Christmas cushion. 

1. Get yourself a cheap (second-hand?) knitted jumper - with quite distinct stitches (so you can easily count the stitches - it is in fact even easier to have a jumper with some interesting stitch for ease of reference - you will see later). 

2. Measure the cushion - and 'trace' (with masking tape) the cushion.

3. Cut out the top cushion cover and (if you want to make it easier and more even - but it is a really time consuming task) make a grid, much like a cross-stitching fabric. 

 4. Start cross-stitching

I used a thread of cotton yarn and 4 threads of Rowan Kidsilk Aura (what I had in my stash)

I drafted my pattern from a  picture I found on Pinterest - it is quite an easy pattern (also not too big so it can fit nicely in the middle of the cushion cover). I also had a Christmas tree pattern in mind but it was too long for this cushion cover. 

5. Get rid of the grid (be careful of not undoing all your beautiful cross-stitching work), and there you have it a handmade cross-stitched cushion cover - made from a jumper.

I also made a second one. It was so much easier with the knitting fabric as I had a reference all the way through (it took a third of the time to make it, even though it is much more cross-stitched). I tried in this one to make the most of the brown against the white, it works pretty well. You can easily draft the pattern from my pictures - let me know if you have problems. 

In case you wonder about the back, to continue to chic winter theme, I got some felt fabric from John Lewis and grosgrain ribbon - all matching. Just a tip for the sewing: sew felt side on top. I used the sew mama sew tutorial as per usual - it works great with ribbon too!

And here we are - styled with Latte (one of my knitted blankets).

So who is up for making one (or two, or more) this Christmas? For an even easier version you could buy a fair isle jumper and just make a cushion cover out of it (no cross stitching unless you want to emboss some of the pattern) - it will look great too! Let me know if you are making one, I would love to see your version!

Apart from that, I have nearly made nothing of my list - but there is still time... and evenings to knit, sew and crochet! So now is your turn, link up your updates on your list!

Pattern Picks: Wool People 6 {Knitting}

Wool People 6 was published today and, oh boy, there are some amazing patterns... Here are my favourite four, including the one I will cast on soon I am sure.

I love this jumper and the simplicity of it. I have some green/emerald yarn that would work well I think..   

This second jumper is totally my style, boyish with an interesting colour work (but the colour work may stop me from knitting it... or it may be my challenge for 2014). 

I just knew this was a Bristol Ivy's pattern even before I saw her name, it is so her.. You may remember that my first ever post on this blog featured Winnowing. 

And finally my coup de coeur ... I want to cast on this beanie hat NOW. Who cares if I have many WIPs, I want this hat - with the pompom! 

So what's your favourite? You can see all the patterns on Ravelry or on the BT website (and you can read it like a beautiful fashion magazine, truly inspirational even for non knitters). 

How to Sunday - Joining when Knitting in the round {Knitting}

Knitting in the round is something I end up doing a lot - for beanie hats (here, and here) and jumpers (here) - and every time there is the issue of joining all these stitches (on DPNs or circular needles). Is there a right way or a wrong way to do it? Probably not, but you know when it is wrong, well I certainly do.

But the 'knit two together' method is fairly simple and gets me a nice result every time - and therefore has not stopped me looking (and making) projects knitted in the round. Here is how I do it... I am sure other knitters have other methods - please let us know in the comment box, would love to try other methods as well.

You must first cast on (or pick up stitches) to have a foundation of stitches on your double pointed needles or circular needles just as you would for straight knitting. Evenly distribute your stitches over 3 or 4 needles. 

Cast on the number of stitches your pattern calls for, plus one (ie, if the pattern says to CO 72, you'll CO 73).

With the cast-on edge pointing away from you, slide the first cast on stitch to the end of your left needle, and the last cast on stitch to the end of your right needle, so both are ready to be worked.

Slip the last cast on stitch off of your right needle back onto the left needle.

Knit those 2 stitches (the last and first cast-on) together. This will bring your number of stitches down to the correct amount. 

Place a marker so you can easily identify the beginning of the round. Begin Knitting!

Confetti stitch {Knitting}

Still working on the Pull Isa - I checked and the measurements should be ok - well I fit into it, it is fitted, but that is what I wanted, and blocking may help as well. 

Check out my new mug

I have a project (yes another one) on the go that involves pride and prejudice, and I thought it might an opportunity to actually read the book - and get better acquainted with Mr Darcy - and provide the best excuse to watch Colin Firth in a wet shirt - link here... 

I thought you might be interested in the confetti stitch - the perfect stitch for summer tops. 

Multiple of 4+2

Row 1: K1 *YO, K1, YO, SL 1, K2tog, PSSO* K1

Rows 2 and 4: Purl all stitches

Row 3: K1 *SL 1, K2tog, PSSO, YO, K1, YO* K1

Repeat these four rows for the pattern. Easy right!

My laundry basket project is here. 

Joining the others over at Tami's and Ginny's. 

Isa {Knitting}

This has been a WIP for a long time. I started knitting the jumper when I was pregnant - and added a few stitches to take my growing belly into account. I picked it up a couple of weeks ago, and Mr MiH laughed at it - it was double my size. 

Back to the drawing board - I am making a less loose version than La Poule. After a lot of (probably bad) maths, I think I have the right number of stitches on my circular needles, and the ribbing is nearly finished - and then comes the confetti stitch! 

bookmark pattern here

 I am using exactly the same yarn as La Poule, it is the perfect sweater jumper yarn!

I am also wondering what to make with the leftover of Steel after Steel Snow...I am thinking making this necklace, a chunky version?

I am reading again! I got a few books back from France... so far the comic book is much more interesting... the book is proving a bit too romantic for a thriller.. 

Joining other WIPs at Tami's and Ginny'. You can find my quilting WIP here.